Sewage lift



Jan. 6, 1948. w. P. wHrrTlNcaTN sEwAGE LIFT Filed April 20, 1946 2Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 6, 19.48.

w. P. wHxTTlNG'roN SEWAGE LIFT Filed April 20, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2vlimew.

Patented Jan. 6, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT QF'FICJE- SEWAGE MF1; WilliamPi, Whittington, mdianapeiis. met Application April all, 1946;:SerialpNo. 6631663' T'Qlaims; (01.103725) invention relates to meansforelevatine ilowalole materials such as sewage which cannot be vhandledby the ordinary reci,procatine` or centrifugal pumps. Inl manyinstances, the

elevation at which sewage mustbe collected` buildings is below theelevation ofl the sanitary sewaee systems in nearby stores-V Tlils meansthat the. sewage moet be couected and then ele.-r rated` backup to thesewage. cases, such as with restaurants! the dischargingellllent.carries considernbl@ grew? and thl. areas@ frequently coagulatesorsclidiiies to present. a

further problem `in the handling of the eiilueritu By use of myinvention,y very simple means are. provided toeollect and eleva-tetheeliluent. in an. automatic manner without beine disturbed or hindered inits action hy the presence of suelo grease. A primary advantage oi theinventionA resides in the fact that it is practically troulole. free andwill operate automatically over lone" periods of time with the minimum.Vof attention.,

Qtherobjects and advantages of, the .iniientionl willbeccme apparent tothose yersedrin the art in the following description o f 'alle`invention illustrated more or less diagrammatically the, accompanyingdrawings, wherein, *Y K Fie. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of oneformof the invention; and.

,Fig- 2, a like diagrammatic repre sentation4 0i a.- rnodii'led form ofthe invention.v Y l Like characters of reference indicateY like parts inthe two views in the drawings.

Referring rst to that formof the' inventionas lllustratedein Fig. 1, atank Ill is p1 ),vi c ed tgpayc a generally conical floorll. This tankcan be made out of any suitable material practical Afor thepurposeemployedy steel or iron.. beine por: mally satisfactory. Atransverse iioor l2 le lined within the` tank I0 to be inclined frcrnthe horif zontal suihciently to cause iluids to collect iitially oriinally at the lowermost portion ci that oor I2 adjacent the tank Walltherearound Thus the tank I0 is divided into the upperand lower ChambersI3 and III,respectivrely.`

A discharge pipe I5 leads ,from near the lowest. point of the floor Ilupwardly through the. door l2v to discharge within the chamber I3 nearthe. top end thereofr. Theupper chamber I 3, has a cover I6 fixedthereacross. The dischargeof the pipe l5 is spaced a distancesuiiiciently below' the cover I6 to permit overflow from thek pipe I5into the chamber I3. In the present showing of the structure in Fig. 1,this pipe I5 is fixed along' the, wall of the oor II and thellQeupwardly along' the sie@ wan of the tank In. an entrance pipe systemette extend downwardly through the cnamher is', through the iloor l2'.and well down the @hamper-(4to terminate by an, open end inspacedrelation from the apex of the floor It. 'ljis column luis communicationat its.. upper end through,- tloe el 2o with a pressure actuatedswitchineellanismlzl oi the usualandwell-lmowri construction wherein aswitch 2,2. is normallyl onen., and ie closedby a. predetermined presseine' creat-eil iu tliefcolumnv i9, the switch .2.2, ope ine aealnrfollowing4 a predetermined drop tpressure, .In suoliv commercialpressure s .tch mechanisme, there is a. dllerential ope ha .essereraneeldetweentlle initial osine eftheswiteh and the subsequent open' .eof' itdetails of such mec anism do not. ioirm a part of my invention ne..nd therefore not, leeren; illustrated since t. ,struc urv is.,commerciallilfobtalilable and wellelsnown to those versed. in the. art4chamber lil is Vented to the. atmosphere threes-lia vent pipe 2 3openineby its lower end' ttl ou li thev iioori2 near the upper portionth ai., and carried onA upwardly through they cli meer lithreueli thecover ll Normally this teilt pipe 23x would be connected to some stack(not shown) Yleading to the hiehestmost eleva.-

A discnaee pire 2.4,?, herein shown as heine along the side wall of the.tank Ill leads from near the lowest portion of -the chamber I3 over thefloor I2 and is Qarpied upwardly to the cover I6y from which a dischargeow pipe 25 leads. riterprjs'edl between the pipes 24 and 25, near thetgp of the chamber I3, isa valve of some sort normally closing off thepipe 24, but opening readily Vwith' upwardflow in the pipe 24. In thepresent show-ing, this valve consists oft a ball 26 jestingpy' gravityon a seat 2-I carried by the pipe 2,4 in its upper end portion.Srirnlarly the upper end ofthej'discharge pipe I5v leading from thelower chamber I4: is normally closed oit by a valve preventing backowdown through that pipe. In the present showingZ this valve consists d ahall 28 dropping. by gravity on a seat 29Y carr1y d at upper end of. thepipe l5.- The ball i8 lspr'eieraloly carried at the lower end o i anoutwardly ilarin'e mouth 3.0 at the upper end of te l so that the. `ball1.8 will normally roll liaels` nto the seat 2s under the influence of:

gravity when there is no upwardly flow of the pipe I forcing it oir ofthat seat. Carried by the cover I6 is a pair of electrodes 3| and 32hanging downwardly within the chamber I3. The electrode 3| extends welldown into the chamber I3 to terminate by a lower end at a distanceslightly above the discharge pipe 24. The other electrode 32 isconsiderably shorter than the electrode 3| and terminates by its lowerend in the upper portion of the chamber I3, the dierence in the lengthsof these two electrodes being further explained in describing below theoperation of the invention. A vacuum pipe 33 leads from the chamber |3through the cover I6 to a valve generally designated by the numeral 34.A vacuum producing device generally designated by the numeral 35 isoperated by an electric motor 36. This vacuum producing device 35 has anintake pipe 31 interconnecting with the valve 34, and also a pressuredischarge pipe 38 interconnecting with the valve 34. In other words thepipe31 is a vacuum line and pipe 38 is a pressure line. The exactconstruction of the vacuum producing device 35 is not herein shown butis preferably of a high vacuum type such as is produced by air ejectorsoperating under water all of a type commercially obtainable.

The valve 34 contains a central cylindrical chamber 39 within which ismounted a shitab-le cylinder 46'controlled as to position by thesolenoid armatures 4| and 42 being shifted through energizing of theirwindings 43 and 44. The cylinder 40 has a longitudinalY side slot 45within which the pipe 38 may discharge regardless of position of thecylinder 40 within the bore 39. A second side'slot 46 is formed alongthe cylinder 46 to be in communication with the outlet pipe 31regardless of cylinder position. These two slots 45 and 46 areseparate'one` from the other without intercommunication.

Diametrically extending across Ythecylinder 43 is a transversepassageway 41 leading from the slot 45 and opening from the oppositeside of the cylinder 4|! to be selective in registry with a centralchamber 48 in the body of the valve 34 and the orifice 49 at which thevacuum pipe 33 is connected. Likewise a transverse passageway 56 leadsdiametrically across the cylinder 40 from the slot 45 to bein selectiveregistry with the center chamber 48 and thev orice 5| through whichcommunication is had with the vacuum pipe 33. A valve intake pipe 52leads from any suitable source such as the stack pipe 23 to dischargeinto the chamber 48.

Operation Assuming a ow of liquid comes through the pipe I1 anddischarges through the opening I8 into the lower compartment I4 of thetank I0, the liquid mass will rise to rst close off the lower end of thecolumn I9 and thus trap air therewithin. As the liquid continues to risein the chamber I4, the air in Y become compressed to apply a pressurethrough the pipe 26 against the switch actuating mechanism in the unit2|. Since the chamber I4 is vented to the atmosphere through the pipe23, no restriction is applied to the liquid as it Irises in the chamberI4. In other words no pressure is applied to its surface so that thedischarge into the chamber through the opening I8 is freely had.

When the pressure in the column I6 reaches a predetermined amount forwhich the mechanism 2| has been set or designed, the switch 22 is closed4 by reason o that predetermined pressure being reached.

The motor 36 may be of any type desired, having the power lines 53 and54 leading to the starting box 31, the wire 53 being connected to oneend oi the starting coil 56. The exact details of the starting mechanismdo not form a part of the invention per se, and since that mechanism iscommercially obtainable and well-known to those versed in the art, thedetails of that mechanism are not herein shown. From one side of theswitch 22 is carried a wire 51 to interconnect with the conductor orwire 53.

VFrom the other side of the switch 2| leads a wire 56to have connectedacross between it and a wire 56 connecting to the power conductor 54three relay energizing coils 66, 6| and 62. A circuit is thus completedby the closing of the switch 22 between the power lines 53 and 54 toenergize those three relay coils. Upon the energizing of these threecoils, their respective armatures 63, 54 and 65 are lifted to closecircuits to be described.

First it is to be observed however that in the valve 34, the cylinder 46is maintained in the right hand position, Fig. 1, by reason of the factthat the coil 44 is energized to pull the armature 42 to the right, byreason oi the fact that the coil 44 is interconnected by the wires 66and 61 between the power line 51 and the contactor bar 6B through thewire 69 to the wire 53.

At the relay operated by the coil 62, the contactor bar 10 interconnectsthe contact members 1I and 12 to close the circuit through the wire 'I3leading to one side of the starting coil 56 and the wire 53 leading tothe power line 54, this closed circuit causing the motor 35 to start andto continue in operation as long as that circuit is maintained. Theoperation of the motor 36 produces a'vacuum in the pipe 31 and thusacross the valve cylinder 46, and the pipe 33, tending to create avacuum in theupper chamber I3. The reduction in pressure tends to seatthe ball 26 against entrance of atmospheric air and tends to unseat theball 28 to produce the lowered pressure in the pipe I5 and thereby setup a iow of liquid from the chamber I4 upwardly through the pipe I5 todischarge over the member 36 into the upper chamber I3. When the liquidmakes contact with the electrode 3l, it closes a circuit through itselfbetween the tank wall and the electrode 3|. The

tank I6 being normally supported on the ground that column I5 tends to Yor within the ground is grounded itself in most instances, but in anyevent is grounded, as at 88, through the wire 51 to that side of theline 53. In thus closing the circuit from the ground 88 from the line53, through the wire 51 (also possibly directly through the ground tothe grounded line 53), the circuit continues through the electrode 3|,the wire 15, across the bar or bridge connector 14, through the Wire 58,thereby forming a parallel circuit with the switch 22 to include therelay windings 6D, 6I, 62, and the wire 59 to the line 54.

As the uid level rises within the chamber I3, the pressure in the columnI6 drops to allow the switch 22 to open, but the relay windings 60, 6I,and 62 remain energized by the circuit just above described which hasbeen closed through the electrode 3|.

Continued rising of the fluid level in the chamber I3 will cause the uidto reach and submerge at least the lower end of the electrode 32.Thereupon a new circuit is established between the line 53, through theground 88, the fluid itself, the electrode 32, the wire 16, the tworelay windings 'iiiena 1t; the' wipe 115,1 tiie-fe1y-bride'econnecter:adj enewire 59'; armenie-line y541.- Newv when theserellay windings1A'PT-and V178 are energized through thi'sf particular' circuit;v theirarmaturesl {3i-and-vv 82arelilted'* to ythe'um'ne'r' circuit closingpositions Afeireuit-'isestatiisiieci*from'l the line 5r; the wire 59,the Wire 69, the relay bridge 68, the Wire 83;-l thesolenbidWinding-3.5,tliefWireSKl-g and t-l-ie wire 51j to' the" other line-Wire 531Theeriergizing o` the- Winding lle pulls" the armature el" t'o` theleftV to`A shift the V'alyecyl'i-nde'r' au z'wcordinglyY ItL ist`o be*understood; that'initially' with: the relay vs/"iiitl'inr'g`V 71V not'energized; the relay connecter br iire'mainsin` the",positionfshbwir'inLFig;v 1"" Wherebyia circuit is*normallyr closed'frein*thelinev Wire5,through the Wire 59, thefvvire', the'b'ar 6B', tliewire E7",k thesolenoidi Winding llift, thewiie ss aiiifthe Wires-1veeniieetingwitiitheetrieriine wirees- 'rhisienergizes' initiaiiy thewinding 4t* tomaintain' the valve" cylinderl tu in" thee righthendpositibn until'the'relay winding T is' ener`` gizdt break thatcircuit by lifting the bar' 68:- to" the uppermostpositionv toestablish' the circuit above described through" the solenoid Winding453i VV'thl the' cylinder 4U* shifted t0 the' left hand'4 pbsiti'orrytheY orice 5| is closed' and' the crossy passageway 55 registerslwith'theI chamber'll to aiord- 'passage'A across` the* cylinder th'rb'ugh thesi-ejtA fief from the pipe 52" te tnevaeuuni pipel er andthe-'pressure'pipe' efe-is their int-ereeiineeteei-A throulg'hth'e cross slot 45,' thetransyerseipassage* 415, and tlie oricejlt'g'; to` provide a discharge'therethrough into" the' pipeS: and' consec lueilyf in'tbthe' chamber' IS'4 to' establivsl'iv a" pressureftherei' as opposed" tcthetlieretoforeexisting" Vacuum; It is to be remembered that the motor`fl conAlt'iuesjoperating as long asv the" relay: wiiiei'iiigf s2 remains energized'. JA

With the closurez of the" circuit described by liquid contacting the'Short electrode' 32'; the lifting of) the' armature 8'2'l'at` the1"elay" c'0i1E 'f8 closes a' circuit leading `from the" grcudl'ortlie"lirie' Wire'b through" thewire 57, the vtfire 85;," the" relay"connector 85, theWireSl, thetwo Win'din'g's 'Miene-it trie wirel'e; theIrelay eenrieetiiig' bei: en; amrv the wire sai to" the line se; thiscircuit ieiiig-v established te maintain trie epergizatie'n iii theeoiis ift and# rs1 after the fluid crops-below the-"lowerenr'd'fo'f-'tliev sh'ort electrode 32 to maine' tai'ftne Cylinder iuiiimeier-theme 'positionunder this pressure cycle, the niidin] chamber' Hi`will continue t'odropf asitY isforced Quij'of" the' discharge pipe' 2euntill the" fluid level falls blbw'the lbweren'dfci'v t-'lie'long4ielectrode Vilerrv this event* happens; the hbliingi circuit abbvefdescribed from the ground-y 835 throug'li" the liquidlvtleelectrode 3|?,andthe'rellay Winding Di landi 621,' thrllgl the Wire 59 t`0 the line*Wire 54Yis* opened. Sincethe s'Witch 22 i's also open; the Iri'otr 35 isno longer energizedE andcomest-o' a? stop.4 In the meantime thefluid"draining,r from the pi'p'e I'iintfothe lo'W'er chamber l Willagainv initiatethe vacuum' cycle first above described by protlli'rrglthe pressure ifi?` the column l5) t0" in* s'titutlthevacuum a'ndpressurecycles one after afliotl-ier.` The chambers I3 and lli are so` pro--yp'rtir'cl aSitO their relative Sizes in conj'lirici/libriY Withl the"size o'ifthe Vacuum-pressure pump 35; that the? upper* rl [S will' llSilidf discharge before thepres'sur'e inthe column lgla'gaifn builds' up'suiciently' tofy close'f the switch 2 2i- Referringfnow' toFig. 2offthe drawingitoshow another form= o structurez Within' the spiritaot Adrain pipe 941 diselia-rgesl trirciueliv the? si'df Wall o'fi the tankint the'y ulieripcrtnl df ldwen chamber' 9 |1.` lil-'discharge' pipei95' susv pended from the floor 9 6 of the chamber"Biflgl-cerF-fy tallytl'ielfe'b,A t" termi-nat@ lower" erid'dbvn Withintleajpekportinofithe'ioo"'S'Fol'tlielewer chamber ma Normaily this pipeSkiiuh'ieliopensE throuehi the ocr'f 9A`6'1i`sclsedl oft` ati upper endA by 'soiefser# OP a V`a']lVe'I,-` hereiiiE sh'owii as# byff a ball 93 restinggravity," overf the discharge? eiieeff thel pipe 95e Arif aieh pressure:Columnas leads .mp1threugirn tirer fine-r sieA fremi medewer chamber.'9| f-urre'ugii'i trie' chamber 92 (it: bei outside ofthatljchamberfg butissliwnf as passing? theretrireugh ferreeiivenieiieefin asseiribiyiranni in-terc'o'riri'e'cts with af pressureik actuated? s-Witelimechanism operatingv the switenf zlziby: changes. of pressure appearingwithin the column 95.; Af Vent piper |00: leads from the" uppermost'portion ofithe chamber 95|? tol" discharge intoj the ati-nosepher'eiatlay suitable' po'sitic'n.

In the upper chamber-lv- 92 there' is? suspeidd frornfthecoverSSithroughoutlthe-maor lie'i'gl'it of' the chamber 921; adischar'ge"pipe |151 having" itsinlet operiingspaced a-v sh'crt dist-ance aber@ theball? 98- Iii-'the upper"v end'- dff theedischarge* pipe IUI there ismouri'lt'edaivalveof?anyf'suitable nature adapted to close normally theoutlet of the pipe IUI. In th forni herein shown, this Valvecomprises'ay balli |02 normally dropping by gravity into1 closedposition: across theL upper endr ofthe pipe lfl. A'belLHlfforrnstheintercohb" nectionbet-Ween the upper end of thefpipe. |81`and the cover'93ftofgiveroomA for the' rollingfo the ball' |02 01T ofitsseat andftopermt-discharge: therepast of theuid contentsifrom` thechamber 92`through the outer naldischarge pipe MJL.

There is suspended Withinr the chamber- 92"r 'ani electrode |05*insulated from'f the tank 9ffand' having its'loWer endfspaced' above thelbweni-rp-f takeA endof the pipe HJI-, but downf' withinith' conicalportion of the chamber 92".v A-oat I'i is carried in the/upper ,portionof the chamber 92- by a bracket |01. Whenfthefluid-'level in the chamber92`oa'ts them'ember Illlsu1iciently',va\-y valve plugA |08 carriect onthefupperl endoff the" float- I'DB is pushed into7 the lowerv orificelH19V at the end of the pipe H-tlleadingv exteriorly of the tank A's inthe'rst f form? cfthe invention described; there v is employed a=vacm'imfn'pressure.7 pump` unit' 35 driven by the motor 36,"a'ndfhawingAthe v-aouunr intake pipe 31 andthe pressure discharge pipe 38; botlfiAof which pipes connect with a cont-rolf valve IH'. This'ValVe |1| isf'that type actuated in one directionl by aspringt and in'` theVA other'direction by pressure- Within: the'valve IH'- is a' piston rod |'I2;ori'tle' right end of' Whicnis' m'oun'teda piston I It within' the boreH4. The rod ||2 extends axially'tlircug'liA a' smaller'diame'ter borezI"|'5Withinwhichv slidin'gly fit the spaced apart pistonsf H6 andi Mil,beth xed to thefroft` H2'.j Thenfthefroclf H22? extends onl tothei leftthrough aborel 51:01? substantially.'

the same diameter as that of the bore ||4. A compression spring ||9surroundsv the rod ||2to bear by one end against the valve head ||9 andby its other end against an abutment member |20 xed on the rod ||2spaced between the head I|9 and the piston ||6. The body of the valve isprovided with an upper chamber |2| from which leads the pipe ||0. The`body of the valve is provided with a central passageway |22 from whichleads a pipe |23 to the atmosphere, herein shown as connected to thepipe |09. This passageway |22 opens into the smaller diameter bore atthat position whereby the opening thereof will always be between the twopistons I|6 and ||1.

On the left hand side of the passageway |22 is a passageway |24 leadingfrom the bore ||5 to be interconnected by the vacuum pipe 31. On theother side of the passageway |22, to the right, is shown a thirdpassageway |25 to which is interconnected the pressure pipe 38.

A small diameter pressure line |26 leads from the pump unit 35 toconnect into Vthe bore ||4. Interposed in this line |26 is a valve |21normally closed to be opened by a solenoid, thewinding |28 of which isshown. A bleed line |29 interconnects the line |26 from aposition'between the valve ,and the Valve |21 with the vacuum pipe 31.

A vacuum operated switch |30 is provided to be operated from the Vacuumpipe 31 Vfrom a normally open position at low vacuum to a closedposition at the higher degree of vacuum produced by the unit 35. Themechanism for operating the switch |30 is of the usual and well-knowntype to those versed in the art and commercially obtainable, andtherefore the details of which are not herein shown or described.

Operation Assuming the eiiluent to be pouring in from the pipe 94 intothe collecting basin 9|, the level of this uid will reach and submergethe lower end of the pipe 99, and as the level continues to rise,pressure of the air entrapped within the column 99 will increase toclose the switch 22 otherwise normally open. Since the upper portion ofthe basin 9| is vented through the pipe |00, no r..- striction is placedupon the fluid against rising Within the basin 9|. Oneside of the switch22 is grounded as indicated at |3 l. A control switch |32 is closed forautomatic operation initially to interconnect the line wire 53, themotor starting winding 55, the wire |33, and the wire |34. The closingof the switch 22, as indicated, closes a circuit from the ground |3I,through the switch 22, the wire |64, a relay winding |35, the wire |39,and the secondary winding |31 of a transformer |38, to the ground |39 ofthe winding |31. The primary winding |40 of the transformer |39 isnormally energized through the circuit formed between the line wires 53and 54 through the respective wires |4| and |42.

When that circuit is closed` by the switch 22, the armature |43 iselevated to close a circuit from the line wire 54, the wire |52, therelay connecting bar |44the wire |34, the switch |32, the wire |33, andwinding 59, to the other line wire 53, thereby starting the motor 36into operation. The switch |30 is open initially before this motor 35starts.

The members within the valve il are initiaily in the position. indicatedinthe drawing, Fig. 2, asydetermined by the spring |19. A vacuum isproduced in the upper chamber 92 through the pipe ||0, the valve chamber|2 I, the bore |51 to the left of the piston |I6 and the bore V| l5 tothe left of the piston ||6, the passageway |24, and the vacuum pipe 31.The pressure discharge from the unit 35 is through the pipe 38, thepassageway |25, bore ||5, passageway |22, and the pipe |23.

Asthe air is exhausted from the chamber 92, to a. sufficient degree, theuid in the lower` chamber 9| is pulled upwardly past the ball 98, liftedolf its seat, into the upper chamber 92. As the degree of vacuumincreases in the chamber 92, the switch |30 will close upon reaching thepredetermined degree of vacuum to interconnect the line 54, wire |42,relay nterconnector |44, wire |34, wire |45, switch |30, wire |46,solenoid winding |28, wire |41, and wire |48, connecting with the linewire 53, also interconnecting from the wire |46, the relay winding |49,through the wire |46 with the line wire 53. Energizing the winding |49causes the relay connector bar |50 to interconnect the wire |46 with thewire |5| establishing a partl of a circuit to be later utilized upon theopening of the vacuum switch |39. Incidentally the vacuum switch |30does not close until the uid has lifted the float |06v to close off theorifice |09 by the plug |08.

Going back, as the fluid level rises in the chamber 92, the lower end ofthe electrode |05 becomes submerged to establish a current conductingpath from the grounded wall of the tank through the electrode |05, thewire |52, the relay connecter bar |53, the relay winding |35, the wire|36, the transformer secondary winding |31, and the ground |39. This isin parallelism with the switch 22.

At the high vacuum condition in the chamber 92, which is that conditionwherein the level of the fluid is well up in the upper portion of thechamber 92, and the switch |30 is closed to energize the solenoidwinding |28, the valve |21 opens to cause a pressure to be produced inthat part of the bore ||4 to the right of the piston ||3 and therebyforcing the piston ||3 to the left to position the pistons ||6 and ||1to the left to set up an interconnection between the passageway |22 and|24 (pulling air from the atmosphere intothe vacuum line 31) and apressure connection from the passageway |25 on the right side of thepiston ||1 through the chamber |2| and the pipe line ||0. The pressureforces the float |06 downwardly and pushes the liquid contents of thechamber 92 outwardly through the dis charge pipe |0| past the ball |02into the outer discharge pipe |04. As the fluid level drops, the switch22 has opened during the upflow of the liquid from the chamber 9| to thechamber 92 byreason of the drop in pressure in the column 99, but thepresence of the fluid about the electrode |05 forms the circuit aboveindicated to maintainv operation of the pump unit 35. The fluid in thechamber 92 will continue to be lowered in level until it drops below thelower end of the electrode |05 thereby interrupting the circuit throughthe fluid between that electrode and the ground. Immediately thishappens, the relay winding |35 is de-energized and the connecters |44and |53 drop to the open circuit positions. In so doing, the circuit tothe motor starter winding 56 is broken and the motor 36 stops. Also theholding relay windingr |49 becomes de-energized to in turn drop therelay connecter |50 and thereby de-energizes the solenoid winding |28 topermit the valve |21 to close (switch |30 has opened upon the reductionof the vacuum in the vpipe lzinthepressurecycle) topermit .thespring Hto return the various -valve pistons -toV the .positions as indicated in.the drawing. In this returning travel, the fluid-which may be en-Ytrappedin that end of the bore IM tothe vright f Vnl the piston yH3 mayescape slowly through the `.bleedline '129 `connection with vthe vacuumline. All ofthe various circuits .arethen returned to rtheinitialposition awaiting refilling of the colu .lecting basin 1791 forsubsequent operations as Aabove described.

Thexswitch 1312 :may be thrown tothe ,upper rpositiontointerconnectthe'wire 433 directly with v'loe employedzsuch theparticular vacuumpressure control valve, .the tank structure .and valvestherein, "all `.Without :departing from the spirit nf the invention,`.and.I therefore .do not .desire to be limitedtoithe precise :formsshown `and described 'beyond Athe limitations asmay he imposedby.thef.following claims.

I- :claim: 1. `'In .a sewage lift, a receiving basin; a dis- `charge:compartment: a "transfer .pipe leading `fromznfear the floor rofsaidbasin to discharge.into

the upper 'portion of said compartment; .a 'discharge 'pipe leading fromfnear 'the floorVv ofl .said compartment 'to discharge therewithouft; 1alvalve `foreach of said fpipes normally seatingin the`opposite.direction :of normal iicw therein; vacuumepressure producingmeans; valvemeans .selectively applying tol said .dischargecompartmentvacuum pressure from said "producing meansyelectric means forcontrolling the actuating of said valve means; a motor actuating saidproducing means;- an electrode extending into saiddischarge compartmenttohave .a portion at least submerged at a predetermined liquid leveltherein; an electric control switch actuated by change in level of fluidin said basin; and electric circuit means automatically'venergized 'anddeenergized `.by interconnection '.Wi'th a :source -fof currentwthroughsaid electrode and said switch by changes in levels of uid/insaid basinand said compartment to actuate said motor and said` valve means inaccordance with said levels.

2. In a sewage lift, a receiving basin; a discharge compartment; atransfer pipe leading from near the oor of said basin to discharge intothe upper portion of said compartment; a discharge pipe leading fromnear the oor of said compartment to discharge therewithout; a valve foreach of said pipes normally seating in the opposite direction of normalow therein; vacuum-pressure producing means; valve means selectivelyapplying to said discharge compartment vacuum and pressure from saidproducing means; electric means for controlling the actuating of saidvalve means; a motor actuating said producing means; an electrodeextending into said discharge compartment to have a portion at leastsubmerged ata predetermined liquid level therein; an electric controlswitch actuated by change in level of fluid in said basin; and electriccircuit means automatically energized and deener-` gized byinterconnection with a source of current through said electrode and saidswitch by changes in levels of fluid in said basin and said compartmentto actuate said motor and said valve means "inaccordance with .saidlevels; Asaid-electric circuit means including'a holding circuitmaintained .through said electrode .when said switch opensuponpredetermined fall in liquid level in said basin, the holdingcircuit maintaining said .motor `in operation.

In a sewage lift, a 4receiving basin,- a dischange compartment; atransfer pipe leading .from near ythe :door of saidbasin -to dischargeinto theupper .portion of said compartment; a dis- .chargepipe-leading-irom nearthe floor of said. rvcompartment to dischargetherewithout; ya valve vrfor .each 'of' said pipes normally seating inthe `oppositedirection vof normal flow therein; vacuurnfpressureproducing means; valve means se- Vlectively.applying l to said dischargecomp artment 'vacuum andl pressure from saidv producing means;

.electric means `for controlling the actuating .of said valve means; amotor actuating .said producing means; an electrode extending into saiddischargecompartment to have a por-tion at least submerged lat apredetermined liquid level therein an electric control switch .actuatedbychange in -level of fluid in ,said basin; and-electriccircuit meansautomatically .energized and deenfergized by-interconnection withasource of cur;-

rent 'through saidelectrode and said switch by .changes '-in levels of.fluid in said .basin and said .compartment to actuate said motor andsaidfvalve means in :accordance with vsaid levels; saidelec- 'triccircuit lmeans including a holding circuit maintained throughlsaid.felectrodeto retain vsaid valve means .controlling means in .anenergized state while said :switch is :open and 'saidmotor is operating.

4..'.iln va .sewage lift, ia rreceiving basin; a discharge compartment;.a transfer :pipe leading yfrominear the oor'of said' .basin to.discharge into .the upper portion .of .said compartment; a ,dischargepipezleadingtfrom .near theiioor vof said compartment .todischargetherewithout; a valve 4foreach of 'fsaidpipes normally.'seating'in the .opposite direction ofnormaltlowtherein;vacuum-pressure producing .mea-ns; valve lmeans seilectivelyy applying)to .said discharge compartment V.vacuumand 'pressure from saidproducing means.;

Yelectr-ic vmeans ffor controlling the .actuating of said .valve means;a motor actuating .said producinfgfmeans; :an electrode extending intosaid discharge fcompartment tov have ay .portion atleast l submerged atapredetermined l-iqnid level therein; an electric control switchactuated by change in level of fluid in said basin; and electric circuitmeans automatically energized and deenergized by interconnection with asource of current through said electrode and said switch by changes inlevels of fluid in said basin and said compartment to actuate said motorand said valve means in accordance with said levels; means actuated byrise in liquid level in said discharge compartment cutting off saidvacuum application independently of said valve means.

5. In a sewage lift, a receiving basin; a discharge compartment; atransfer pipe leading from near the floor of said basin to dischargeinto the upper portion of said compartment; a discharge pipe leadingfrom near the floor of said compartment to discharge therewithout; avalve for each of said pipes normally seating in the opposite directionof normal ow therein; vacuum-pressure producing means; valve meansselectively applying to said discharge compartment vacuum and pressurefrom said producing means; electric means fol` controlling the actuatingof said valve means; a motor actuating said pro- 11 ducing means; anelectrode extending into said discharge compartment to'have -a portionat least submerged at a predetermined liquid level therein; an electriccontrol switch -actuated by change in level of fluid in said basin; andelectric circuit means automatically energized and deenerg'ized byinterconnection with a source of current through said electrode and saidswitch by changes in levels of uid in said basin and said compartment toactuate said motor and said valve means in accordance with said levels;said electric circuit means including a holding circuit maintainedthroughA said electrode when said switch opens upon predetermined fallin liquid level in said basin, the holding circuit maintaining saidmotor in operation; and said circuit means also including a holdingcircuit maintained through said electrode to maintain energization ofsaid valve means controlling means when said switch opens while saidmotor continues to operate.

6. In a sewage lift, a receiving basin; -a discharge compartment; atransfer pipe leading fromnear the floor of said basin to discharge intothe upper portion of said compartment; a discharge pipe leading fromnear the iloor of said compartment to discharge therewithout; a valvefor each of said pipes normally seating in the opposite direction ofnormal flow therein; vacuum-pressure producing means; valve meansselectively applying to said discharge compartment` vacuum and pressurefrom said producing means; electric means for controlling the actuatingof said valve means; a motor actuating said producing means; anelectrode extending into said discharge compartment to have a portion atleast submerged at a predetermined liquid level therein; an electriccontrol switch'actuated` by Vchange in level of fluid in said basin; andelectric circuit meansautomatically energized and deenergized byinterconnection with a source of current through said electrode and saidswitch by changes in levels of uid in said basin and said compartment toactuate said motor and said valve means in accordance with said levels;and a second electrode entering said discharge compartment in spacedrelation fromvsaid firstelectrodeito be contacted by the liquid'thereinupon reaching a higher level than Athat of initial first electrodecontact; and 4said circuit means including a circuit through the secondelectrode upon being contacted by the fluid to include said valve meansVby changes in levels controlling means to actuate the valve means fromvacuum to pressure application condition.

7. In a sewage lift; a receiving basin; a discharge compartment; atransfer pipe leading from near the floor of said basin to Vdischargeinto the upper portion of said compartment; a discharge pipeV leadingfrom near the floor of said compartment to discharge therewithout; avalve for each of said pipes normally seating in the opposite directionof normal flow therein; vacuum-pressure producing means; valve meansselectively applying to said discharge compartment vacuum and pressurefrom said producing means; electric means for vcontrolling the actuatingof said valve means; a motor actuating said producing means; anelectrode extending into said discharge compartment to have a portion atleast submerged'at a predetermined liquid level therein; an electriccontrol switch actuated by :change in level of fluid in said basin; andelectricA circuit means automatically energized and deenergized byinterconnection with'a source of current through said .electrode andVsaid switch 'oflu'idin said basin and said compartment 'to actuate saidmotor and said valve means inaccordance with said levels; means actuatedby rise in liquid level in said discharge compartment cutting off saidvacuum application independently of said valve means; a

Ysecond pressure actuated switch normally open andautomatically closingonly upon being subjected to a higher degree of vacuum than thatexisting inV said discharge compartment upon actuation of said levelactuated vacuum cutting ofi means; and said circuit means including acircuit Vthrough 4saidsecond switch and said valve means control meansto energize said last control means upon closing of said second switchto `apply pressure in said discharge compartment.

WILLIAM P. WHITTINGTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

`TJNlTillll) STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,238,597 Page Apr. 15,1941 2,265,650 Lannert Dec. 9, 1941 2,280,930 Reeves Apr. 28, 1942

